Delegation Wants Longer Comment Period For Power Project

New Hampshire's Congressional delegation wants the public to get more time to comment on the proposed Northern Pass power transmission project.

The Department of Energy released its long-awaited environmental impact report on the project Tuesday, saying the plan to bring hydroelectric power from Quebec into southern New England on high-voltage lines through New Hampshire could hurt tourism, wildlife and property values — but would cost less than other alternatives.

The department says a 90-day public comment period will begin July 31, but members of the state's Congressional delegation on Wednesday asked for an extended comment period — citing the nearly 1,000 pages of documents..

As it did in previous letters, the delegation is calling for an additional 90 days — 180 days total — for the public to comment.

The organization behind the “Ride the Wilds” ATV network in the North Country is in talks with Northern Pass about getting a multimillion-dollar donation. But the founder of the group says accepting such a donation would not indicate Ride the Wilds endorses the controversial project.

Under the terms being discussed Northern Pass would give the North Country Off Highway Recreational Vehicle Coalition as much as $500,000 immediately, along with about 1,100 acres of land in the Diamond Pond area in Stewartstown and Colebrook. That land is valued at about $1.5 million.